Illuminated sign



Oct. 26 1926.

wrmassas W.- F. HULL ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Feb. 19, 1926 2 Shoots-Shoot 1 INVENTOR gmw Oct. 26 1926. Y 1,604,830

w. F. HULL ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Feb. 19, 1926 2 Shoots-550st 2 i ii 4 I 3 1a 4 4 I 14 o 1 7 '4 .13

HI l 17 WDTNESSES Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

teeters craters.

VJILLIAIlI FRANK HULL, OF PITTSBURGH, IENNSYLVANIA.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Application filed February 19, 1926. Serial No. 89,330.

My invention relates to illuminated signs, and more particularly to an improved mounting bracket for properly supporting such signs to prevent their becoming dislo-- cated or moved from their proper positions. It is among the objects of my invention to provide an improved mounting means for illuminated signs which shall comprise a minimum number of parts of simple mechanical construction which are designed to facilitate a quick and convenient assembly of the several cooperating elements.

Another object of my invention is to provi de an improved type of mounting bracket for illuminated signs which shall func tion as an auxiliary support for carrying the main frame portion of the sign in addition to the normal supporting structure by means of which the sign is properly mounted. Illuminated signs are commonly constructed of sheet metal frames for carrying or supporting a translucent sign and the metal frame is usually provided with a con- 2 stricted portion by means of which it is fastened to a suitable supporting bracket for mounting it on standards or suspending it by suitable hangers.

I have found that the usual construction for joining the frame portion to its support occasionally does not provide sufficient strength at the joints to carry the weight of the sign and to resist the strains incident to the effect of the elements to which the sign is exposed.

My present invention provides auxiliary supporting means for directly suspending the weight ofthe sign frame portion from the hanger structure thereby relieving the joints of the frame and mounting brackets of these stresses and strains. k V In the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof, and in which like reference characters designate like parts, Fig. 1 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation of a fragmentary portion of an illuminated sign illustrating the mounting bracket and embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of v the auxiliary mounting bracket for securing the main frame to the hanger structure; Fig. 3 is a view in cross section, partially in elevation, illustrating the effective position of my auxiliary support; and Fig.

dis a similar view illustrating a modified form of supporting bracket.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings the structure therein illustrated comprises a frame portion 1 for mounting a translucent sign, not shown, said frame portion being provided with a vertically projecting collar 2. A sleeve member 3 having a radial flange 6 and a constricted portion 1 corresponding in size to the inner dimension of the collar 2 of the main frame is joined ,to the collar 2 in any suitable manner as by a plurality of spot welds 5. A mounting bracket 7 provided with a central opening Shaving screw threads 9 formed therein is adapted to secure the sleeve member 3 by means of a plurality of thumb screws 10, the screws 10 extending underneath the flange portion 6 of the member 8. lhev bracket 7 is mounted on a hanger conduit 11 having a threaded body portion which interacts with the threads 9 to permit axial adjustment of the bolt within the bracket.

An additional supportinmbracket generally designated by the reference numeral 12 comprising a sheet metal punching 13 having a plurality of upstruck portions or lugs 14 for securing a pair of pivot arms 15 and having a threaded central opening 16 for engagement with the threaded portion of the hanger conduit 11 is threaded on the conduit to move axially in the direction of the frame member 1, and when the bracket has passed below the constricted portion of the collar 2 of the frame 1, the arms 15 drop to a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3. a The bracket 12 is then moved along the hanger conduit 11 in the reverse direction until the arms 15 engage the frame member 1 in the manner shown. Although I have illustrated the bracket 12 as having two arms 15, it is evident that any number of such arms may be employed. If by chance the workman neglects to adjust the bracket 12 to theposition in which its arms 15 engage the frame of the sign, the arms 15. being in their extended positions will support the main frame if the latter falls away from its hanger supports and prevent the sign from dropping to the ground.

The bracket 12 may be assembled by passing it through the opening constituted by the collar portion 2 of the frame 1 since the lower portion of the hanger conduit 11 carshown. 'portmg bracket 7 must be removed by turnries an outlet box 17 and on this account the arms 15 are made to pivot so that they may be angularly disposed to permit thethe frame and it requires but a few turns of the hanger conduit 11 to adjust the bracket 12 to its proper position for engaging the arms 15 with the frame portion 1.

To dismember the sign and its supporting structure the brackets are turned on the conduit 11 to provide the necessary space to clear the pivot arms 15. The sign may then be tilted to have the arms 15 assume the position shown in Fig. 1 in which position they will clear the opening in the frame and permit removal of the sign from its support.

In a pair-of supporting arms 18 are fastened to the underside of an outlet box 17 and the hanger conduit 11 is screwed into the threaded portion of the outlet box after the latter has been assembled in the manner lVi-th this construction the sup ing it on the hanger conduit 11 to provide sufficient clearance space between the bracket 7 and the sleeve 3 to make the connection of the conduit and outlet box accessible for adjustment. Referring to Figs. 3 and f of the drawings, it will appear obvious that the auxiliary supporting bracket 12 mount ed in the manner shown is adapted to carry the entire weight of the frame 1 and thereby prevent any possibility of rupturing the joint between the collar 2, the sleeve 3 and the mounting bracket 7, the latter merely functioning to properly align the frame 1 and to maintain it rigid with respect to the hanger structure.

With the addition of the supporting bracket 12 a multiplepoint bearing is provided for the sign frame on the hanger sup port, namely, at the connections of the brackets 7 and 12 with the hanger conduit 11. This spaced bearing construction functi-ons to uniformly distribute the strains over a wide area-of the frame metal, whereasgwithout the auxiliary support an excessive strain would be set up at the juncture of the assembled parts, and particularly in the region of the engagement of the member 7 with the conduit 11.

It is evident from the foregoing description of my invention that a supporting structure for illuminated signs such as is disclosed therein comprises an efficient, inexpensive and safe means for mounting such signs, and from the nature of the function of the several cooperating elements the possibility of the sign dropping off from its support is very remote.

Although I have described several embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the details of construction and in the arrangement of the structural parts without departing from the principles herein set forth.

I claim:

1. An illuminated sign comprising a frame for support-mg a sign of translucent material, the, upper portion of said .frame terminating in a collar, a mounting bracket fastened to said collar p0rt1on,a hanger bolt in screw-thread engagement with said bracket and extending through the opening formed by said collar to the inner side of said frame, and a collapsible supporting bracket mounted to interact with the threads of said bolt to engage the said frame.

2. An illuminated sign comprising. a

frame for supporting a sign of translucent material, the upper portion of said frame terminating in a collar, a mounting bracket or fastened to said collar portion, a hanger" bolt in screw-thread engagement with said bracket and extending through the opening formed by sa1d collar to the inner side of said frame, and a collapsible supporting I bracket and extending through the opening formed by said collar to the inner side of said frame, and a collapsible supporting bracket for carrying said frame, said supporting bracket comprising a sheet metal punching having upstruck portions carryingpivot arms and having a threaded central opening to interact with the threads of said hanger bolt.

In testimony whereof, I sign my name.

W ilLLIAM FRANK HULL. 

